As AI evolves, the modern R&D lab is changing

The conversation centers on how advancements in AI and automation are prompting a re-evaluation of lab design in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. Ryley Poblete from Gensler, highlights the shift from traditional, manual lab processes to automated systems that generate large datasets, necessitating a change in lab architecture to accommodate computational scientists and engineers alongside traditional researchers. The discussion emphasizes the need for adaptable lab spaces that foster collaboration and innovation, moving away from rigid, open-plan environments that may not suit the focused work required for AI-driven research. Poblete also addresses the importance of infrastructure, particularly power requirements for on-site data storage, and the balance between automation-driven consistency and preserving opportunities for human ingenuity in scientific discovery.